FoodSHIFT Pathways: Pathways to food systems transition

Through FoodSHIFT Pathways, we wanted to empower schools to become innovation hubs for sustainable and healthy food system (SHFS) transformation, while promoting healthy diets as well. By implemen...

Through FoodSHIFT Pathways, we wanted to empower schools to become innovation hubs for sustainable and healthy food system (SHFS) transformation, while promoting healthy diets as well. By implementing a student-driven, hands-on pedagogical approach involving researchers and local actors, we wanted to strengthen students’ and teachers’ sustainability competences (SC). Our goal was to provide accessible, interactive tools and training aligned with the GreenComp framework, enabling educators to integrate SHFS and dietary healthiness into their teaching. By engaging school communities across six EU countries, we aimed to inspire behavioural change and environmental awareness. The project also aimed to validate the impact of these methods on students’ and teachers’ attitudes and actions, and to produce a toolkit and guide of good practice for broader use of the material. Ultimately, we wanted to foster creativity, innovation, and collaboration in education to support the transition to a more sustainable and healthy food future.

FoodSHIFT Pathways implemented activities across four WPs. In WP2, interviews, desk research, and focus groups informed a needs analysis aimed at integrating SHFS into school practice through innovative approaches that develop teachers’ and students’ SCs. A pedagogical design was created to guide the development of core educational materials. WP3 produced six interactive videos and over 60 Open Learning Scenarios (OLS), translated and enriched with various educational tools focusing on digital methodologies. A trainees’ guide was also developed to support current and future implementation. In WP4, two pilot phases supported 197 school projects in six countries. Teachers received ongoing support via webinars and onsite training, and a toolkit was created to promote broader use. WP5 used multiplier events, national conferences, and mixed-method evaluations (surveys, objective measures, focus groups) to assess impact. These efforts fostered a bottom-up, inclusive integration of SHFS into education.